Halberd, or Halbert. A weapon borne up to the close of the 18th century by all sergeants of foot, artillery, and marines, and by companies of halberdiers in the various regiments of the English army. It consisted of a strong wooden shaft about 6 feet in length, surmounted by an instrument much resembling a bill-hook, constructed alike for cutting and thrusting, with a cross-piece of steel, less sharp, for the purpose of pushing; one end of this cross-piece was turned down as a hook for use in tearing down works against which an attack was made.
Old Halberd is a familiar term formerly used in the British army, to signify a person who had gone through the different gradations, and risen to the rank of a commissioned officer.
Halberdier. One who is armed with a halberd.
Hale’s Rocket. See [Rocket].
Half Bastion. A demi-bastion. That half of a bastion cut off by the capital, consisting of one base and one front.
Half Caponniere. A communication in a dry ditch with one side prepared for defense.
Half Merlens. The merlens at the ends of a parapet.
Half-batta. An extra allowance which was granted to the whole of the officers belonging to the British East Indian army, except Bengal, when out of the company’s district in the province of Oude. In the upper provinces double batta was allowed. All above full was paid by the native princes, as the troops stationed in that quarter were considered as auxiliaries. Batta is equal to full pay. See [Batta].
Half-brigade. A demi-brigade.
Half-cock. The position of the cock of a gun when retained by the first notch. Also, to set the cock at the first notch.